Questions and Answers - Recent questions and answers in Shingles

Answered: How can alternative treatments help with treating shingles?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 08:08:46 +0000

Some studies show that various treatments, from acupuncture to supplements, can offer relief. The research isn’t complete, but some of these treatments show promise.

Western and alternative approaches can work well together. Check with your doctor if you’re not sure about trying something new.

Answered: What over-the-counter medications can treat shingles?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 08:08:06 +0000

Shingles causes inflammation and pain. Your doctor can suggest over-the-counter medicines to relieve milder discomfort. They include:

These may also help you stave off postherpetic neuralgia, which is a burning pain that some people get after the rash and blisters of shingles go away.

Acetaminophen
Ibuprofen
Naproxen

Answered: What are later symptoms of shingles?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 08:07:31 +0000

A few days after the first symptoms of shingles (also called herpes zoster), you may see a rash of little bumps where you felt the pain. It’s usually only on one side of your body or face. Rarely, it’s all over your body. The condition also:

In 2-3 days, you may see fluid-filled blisters that grow and pop open. Then a hard crust forms on top of them. After a few days, the scabs fall off.

Causes a sharp, stabbing, or burning pain
Sometimes itches
Feels very sensitive to the touch

Answered: What are the side effects of the shingles vaccine?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 08:06:56 +0000

The most common side effects with Shingrix include pain and swelling where you got the shot, muscle pain, tiredness, headache, chills, fever, and stomach troubles. With any vaccine there is a chance of a severe allergic reaction. Also since Zostavax is a live virus vaccine, it is also possible to get a small chicken-pox like rash around the spot where you got the shot.

Answered: What happens when the shingles rash gets into your eye?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 08:06:20 +0000

The shingles rash can spread to your nose or around one eye. If the virus gets into your eye, it could affect your vision. Shingles can damage your cornea, the clear layer in the front.

Answered: What are signs that you have shingles in your eye?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 08:05:31 +0000

Signs that you have shingles in your eye can include:

Pain
Redness
Swelling
Sensitivity to light

Answered: What can you do to relieve shingles symptoms?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 08:04:58 +0000

You can’t make an outbreak of shingles go away any faster, but you can find relief from the pain and itching that the rash causes and make yourself more comfortable.

Oatmeal bath
Cold compress
Loose clothing
Calamine lotion
Support your body's efforts
Distract yourself
Lower your stress

Answered: Can tricyclic antidepressants help treat postherpetic neuralgia?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 08:04:31 +0000

Tricyclic antidepressants have been shown to help ease the pain of postherpetic neuralgia, a complication of shingles.

Answered: What are shingles?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 08:04:00 +0000

If you had chickenpox as a child, you might recall the itchy, spotted rash that popped up on your face and body. The varicella zoster virus that causes chickenpox stays inside your body for many years.

Once you're older, that same virus can wake up and cause shingles It gives you a rash, too, but it's often more painful than itchy.

A blistering rash on one side of your body can be a sign you have it. See your doctor to find out for sure. Once you've been diagnosed, you can get treated to help relieve your rash and other symptoms.

Answered: What is shingles (herpes zoster)?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 08:03:33 +0000

Shingles (herpes zoster) happens when the varicella-zoster virus that also causes chickenpox is reactivated. Usually, you first may notice a tingling or burning pain on one side of your body or face. Within days, tiny clusters of red bumps quickly turn into painful blisters which can pop and get crusty with pus.

The area can be very painful, itchy, and tender. After one to two weeks, the blisters heal and form scabs. Shingles usually happens once. But you can get it again if your immune system is weak.

Answered: What causes shingles (herpes zoster)?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 08:03:03 +0000

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Following a bout of chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in the spinal nerve cells. But it can be reactivated for unknown reasons years later when the immune system is suppressed by:

Physical or emotional trauma
A serious illness
Certain medications, like steroids

Answered: What are the symptoms of early shingles?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 08:02:38 +0000

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the virus that also causes chickenpox. If you’ve been exposed to chickenpox or it vaccine, the virus never really goes away. When it comes back, it can cause shingles, a rash that often appears as a band on one side of the body. Early shingles symptoms can include:

Itching, tingling, or extreme pain where the rash is developing may come next, and the pain can be moderate to severe.

Headache
Light sensitivity
Flu-like symptoms

Answered: What should I do if I have shingles on or around my ears?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 08:02:00 +0000

See your doctor as soon as possible if you get shingles on or around your ears. If you don’t get treated, it can lead to Ramsay Hunt syndrome, which can cause:

This condition is rare, but with early treatment, you have a good chance of full recovery.

Dizziness and other balance problems
Earaches
Hearing loss
Loss of ability to move parts of your face
Ringing in your ear, called “tinnitus”

Answered: How long do shingles last?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 08:01:37 +0000

For some reason, the pain of shingles lingers for some. If the pain lasts for at least 3 months after the shingles rash has healed, a person is diagnosed with a condition called postherpetic neuralgia from the shingles virus damaging the nerves of the skin. In some people, the pain will go down. In others, it won't.

Answered: Who gets shingles?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 08:01:11 +0000

Things that make it more likely include:

Many people who get shingles don't fit in any of these categories.

A weakened immune system, which can wake the virus up.
Having had chickenpox
Cancer, HIV, or another disease that lower your body’s defenses
Being 50 or older
Being under a lot of stress
Past physical trauma
Taking long-term steroids or other medicines that can weaken your immune system

Answered: What skin treatments help treat shingles?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 08:00:43 +0000

You might get quick relief from shingles if you put these directly on your rash. Always talk to your doctor before you use products like these:

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO): This is a clear liquid that’s left over from making paper. When you put it on your skin along with idoxuridine, an antiviral drug, it may cut swelling and blisters.
Chlorophyll: This gives plants their green color. When you put it on your rash as a cream or saline solution several times a day, it may ease your symptoms.

Answered: How is shingles treated when it comes back?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 08:00:21 +0000

As with a first case of shingles, antiviral medicines can help ease a second case and hold off pain. These include:

To relieve itching, try:

If you have pain, your doctor may suggest gabapentin (an anti-seizure medicine) or a rub-on cream or lotion. Antidepressants can also help pain.

Steroids are sometimes used to treat shingles.

Shingles treatments like antivirals work best when you start them right away. Call your doctor as soon as a rash appears -- or you have any symptom you think may be shingles. If you had it once, you know the symptoms. That can give you a head start on the road to recovery.

Acyclovir
Valacyclovir
Famciclovir
Oatmeal baths
Wet compresses
Calamine lotion

Answered: What are symptoms of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN)?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 07:59:44 +0000

In PHN, pain is intense and may be described as burning, stabbing, or gnawing. Affected areas of the body may be hypersensitive or may have decreased sensation. In addition, areas previously affected by shingles may show evidence of scarring.

Answered: Does shingles come back in the same place?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 07:59:14 +0000

Shingles is likely to return in a different part of your body. In general, the rash is most common on the torso or face, so if you've had it on the right side of your stomach, it might come back on the left side - or on your face, chest, neck, or back.

Answered: How are antiviral medications used to treat shingles?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 07:58:25 +0000

These medicines may slow down the progress of the shingles rash, especially if you take them within the first 72 hours of having symptoms. They can also lower your chance of having complications. Your doctor may prescribe:

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about side effects to watch out for if you’re put on one of these drugs.

Acyclovir (Zovirax)
Famciclovir (Famvir)
Valacyclovir (Valtrex)

Answered: Who is more likely to get postherpetic neuralgia (PHN)?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 07:57:53 +0000

PHN occurs most often in elderly people and in people whose immune systems have been compromised.

The pain of PHN, which occurs in the same area as the pain and rash of shingles, results from damage to nerve fibers during the shingles infection. Anyone who has had chickenpox can get shingles, but the disorder is most common in people over age 60.

Answered: Should I still get the shingles vaccine if I've already had shingles?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 07:57:22 +0000

Yes. It may help prevent you having another bout of shingles later on. If you have shingles right now, you should wait until the rash is gone before you get vaccinated.

Answered: How is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) treated?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 07:56:42 +0000

PHN is treated with medications including over-the-counter lidocaine patches,prescription pain relievers, anticonvulsants, and antidepressants. For many people, PHN may improve over time without treatment.

Answered: What other prescriptions can treat shingles?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 07:56:02 +0000

If you have severe pain after the rash clears or an infection during your shingles outbreak, your doctor might prescribe:

Capsaicin cream: This can burm, so be careful not to get it in your eyes.
A numbing medicine: You might get lidocaine (Lidoderm, Xylocaine) for pain. It can come in a variety of forms, such as creams, lotions, patches, powders, and sprays, among others.
Antibiotics: You might need these medicines if bacteria infect your skin and rashes -- but if bacteria aren’t involved, then antibiotics won’t help.
Tricyclic antidepressants: There are many of these medications that might help ease the pain that lingers after your skin has healed, such as amitriptyline, desipramine (Norpramin), and nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor). They may also help you with depression, if you have that in addition to shingles. Your doctor can tell you what the risks and benefits are.

Answered: Will my shingles come back?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 07:55:28 +0000

If you've had shingles once, you probably won’t get it again.

That doesn’t mean it can’t happen; it’s just unlikely. Also called herpes zoster, shingles can come back a second or, rarely, a third time. However, you can take steps to help prevent it, or ease it the next time around.

Answered: How can I take care of my shingles at home?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 07:54:56 +0000

There aren’t home remedies for shingles, but there are things you can do to help your skin heal. For example:

Some people find that acupuncture and other complementary treatments help with the pain that can linger after shingles. Let your doctor know first if you want to try these.

Keep the affected area clean, dry, and exposed to air as much as possible.
Try not to scratch or burst the blisters, despite the itching you may feel.
Ask your doctor about creams and other things you can try to give yourself some relief.

Answered: Who is most likely to get shingles again?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 07:54:07 +0000

You're more likely to get shingles again if:

You had severe pain from shingles that lasted more than 30 days. This is called post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN).
You are a woman.
You were age 50 or older when you had shingles the first time.
Your immune system is weak from conditions like leukemia, lymphoma, or HIV, or you take medicines that suppress your immune system.

Answered: Do I still need the shingles vaccine if I've had chickenpox in the past?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 07:53:22 +0000

Yes. The virus stays inactive in your body long after you’ve had chickenpox and can flare up as shingles.

Answered: How often does shingles return?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 07:52:27 +0000

Experts don't know exactly how many people get shingles more than once. They do know it comes back more often in people with weakened immune systems.

If your immune system is healthy:

In the first several years, your chances of having shingles again are lower than it is for people who have never had shingles.
Over time, your chances of a second bout go up. One study found that within 7 years, the odds of getting it again may be almost 5%. That's about the same as the odds of getting shingles the first time.

Answered: How can traditional Chinese medicine help treat shingles?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 07:51:45 +0000

Traditional Chinese medicine aims to restore your body’s balance. Techniques include:

Moxibustion. This uses moxa, which is usually made from the Chinese mugwort herb. It’s burned close to your skin to rid you of toxins. It may ease pain.
Cupping: This aims to flush out toxins. A therapist heats air inside a cup and puts the cup on your body. Some research shows it can ease shingles pain.
Acupuncture: This ancient practice puts very thin needles into your skin. It may help ease shingles pain.

Answered: Who should get the shingles vaccine?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 07:50:19 +0000

All healthy adults age 50 or older should get the Shingrix vaccine The CDC recommends it for everyone 50 and older who doesn’t have a medical reason to skip it.Most people have been exposed to the chickenpox even if they didn’t actually develop symptoms.

Shingles is most common in people 50 or older who have medical conditions that keep the immune system from working properly, or people who take medicines that suppress the immune system.

If you’ve had shingles, there’s no required amount of time you have to let pass between having shingles and getting the vaccine. But in general, it’s best to wait until the shingles rash clears up.

Answered: Is there a vaccine to prevent shingles?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 07:28:14 +0000

There are two shingles vaccines. Shingrix (RZV) is recommended over the older vaccine, because it is more than 90% more effective in preventing a shingles outbreak. The CDC recommends that you get Shingrix if you’re 50 or older. You would need two shots for Shingrix. One initially, with a follow up in six months. Zostavax

Shingrixe recuces your chance of getting shingles by more than 90%. Even if you still get shingles, the vaccine may help it be less painful.

Answered: Do I still need the shingles vaccine if I've never had chickenpox?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 07:27:44 +0000

Yes, you do. Shingrix recommended for everyone age 50 and older, whether or not you remember having had chickenpox, because most people have been exposed to the virus.

Answered: How is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) diagnosed?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 07:26:58 +0000

In most cases, PHN is diagnosed when pain lasts 3 months or more after an acute attack of shingles, or happens after the skin lesions of shingles have healed.

Answered: When should I see a doctor about shingles?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 07:25:25 +0000

See your doctor at the first sign of shingles. Getting treated early can help it go away faster and may help you avoid related problems. For instance, shingles on the face can cause hearing or sight problems, including blindness.

If you have a weak immune system and can't get the vaccine, early treatment is your best defense against shingles.

Sometimes, what seems to be shingles is really herpes simplex. Though it usually appears as cold sores around the mouth or genitals, this form of herpes can show up elsewhere. Your doctor will use a different treatment to clear it up. Your doctor can do tests, such as a viral culture, to confirm whether you have shingles and to get you the right treatment.

Answered: What are long-term symptoms of shingles?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 07:24:42 +0000

The shingles rash should fade after 2 to 4 weeks. But the skin underneath the rash might change color and always stay that way.

The pain from shingles (also called herpes zoster) can last for months or years. This complication is called postherpetic neuralgia. The feeling can be intense.

Answered: What are the symptoms of shingles?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 07:22:50 +0000

The symptoms of shingles include:

Localized burning, throbbing or stabbing pain where the rash will soon appear (within days to weeks); some people describe it as more itchy. It can be constant, or it can come and go.
Tingling, itching, or prickling skin, followed several days later by a group of fluid-filled blisters on a red, inflamed base of skin; the blisters typically crust over in a week.
The rash may be accompanied by fever, fatigue, or headache.

Answered: When should I call my doctor about shingles?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 07:22:02 +0000

Call your doctor if:

You suspect an outbreak is beginning. If you take antiviral drugs in the early stages, you may shorten the course of the infection.
You have the rash on your face, especially on the nose. This puts you at risk of herpes zoster in the eye, which can lead to corneal damage and vision problems.
The affected area becomes secondarily infected with bacteria (indicated by spreading redness, swelling, a high fever, and pus); antibiotics can help halt the spread of bacterial infection but not the shingles itself.
Your rash lasts longer than 10 days without improvement.
The pain becomes too great to bear; your doctor may prescribe stronger painkillers or a nerve blocker.
You have shingles and are in contact with someone who has a weakened immune system.
You develop any strange symptoms with the shingles rash, such as vertigo, buzzing in your ears, rapid onset weakness, double vision, face droop, or confusion.

Answered: Does the vaccine help prevent shingles?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 07:21:14 +0000

The CDC suggests getting the shingles vaccineShingrix (RZV) if you're age 50 or older. It was approved in 2017 and has been found to be more than 90% effective effective in preventing shingles and the complications caused by the disease. Even if you've already had shingles, the CDC says the vaccine can help prevent a second round of it. Shingrix is preferred over an earlier vaccine, . You should also get it if you have previously had had the Zostravax vaccine. Zostavax

Talk to your doctor about when to get the vaccine. If you've just gotten over shingles, the CDC recommends waiting at least until the shingles rash has disappeared.

You should not get the Shingrix vaccine if you:

Since the older vaccine, Zostavax, is a live virus, You should not get it if you are allergic to the vaccine, have a weakened immune system, or are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant in the next 4 weeks.

Are pregnant or nursing
You are allergic to the vaccine
You tested negative for immunity to chickenpox (varicella zoster). If so, you should ask about the chicken pox (varicella) vaccine
Currently have shingles

Answered: Who shouldn't get the shingles vaccine?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 07:20:23 +0000

Don’t get the Shingrix vaccine if:

Also, besides the conditions stated above, do not get the Zostavax vaccine if you have a weakened immune or you may become pregnant within the next 4 weeks following the shot.

You’re allergic to any of the ingredients.
You’re pregnant or nursing.
You have tested negative for immunity to the chicken pox virus. Ask your doctor about the chicken pox vaccine instead.
You have shingles now

Answered: What should I know about the shingles vaccine?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 07:16:43 +0000

The shingles vaccine Shingrix (RZV) can roughly cut by more than 90%your chances of getting shingles, a painful skin rash caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. It is prefered over Zostavax, an earlier vaccine, which is about 50% effective in peopl 60 years or older.

If you’ve already had shingles, either vaccine may help stop it from coming back.

They contain a weakened chickenpox virus, which doctors call the varicella-zoster virus. It primes your immune system to defend against the disease.

Shingrix is also more than 90% effective in reducing the chance of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) which can be very painful and can last weeks, months, or even years after the rash goes away. Zostavax is about 67% effective in reducing the chance of PHN.

Answered: When should you call a doctor about shingles?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 07:15:33 +0000

Call your doctor if you have pain or a rash on one side of your head or body.

You should see an eye doctor if:

The rash is around your nose or eye
Your eyes are red or painful
You have any vision problems

Answered: What is varicella zoster?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 07:14:57 +0000

Varicella zoster is a virus. It causes chickenpox, also called varicella and shingles, called herpes zoster.

After the chickenpox runs its course, the virus retreats to nerve tissues near your spinal cord and brain, where it hides out.

Doctors don’t know why, but sometimes the virus wakes up and travels along nerve fibers to your skin and causes shingles

Answered: What is postherpetic neuralgia after shingles (herpes zoster)?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 07:13:45 +0000

Shingles is caused by the same virus that gives you chickenpox. It gives you painful blisters that turn into scabs. As many as 1 in 7 people with shingles get deep pain called postherpetic neuralgia after the infection runs its course. The pain can last for months or even years, especially in older people. Chances of postherpetic neuralgia go up with age.

Answered: What does a shingles rash look like?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 07:12:39 +0000

A shingles rash:

Appears on one side of your body and/or face
Stings, burns, and/or itches
Starts as red bumps that form into blisters

Answered: Are cold compresses good for shingles?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 07:11:59 +0000

Run a washcloth under cool water and place it on your blisters for about 20 minutes at a time. Not only can this relieve itching, it also keeps your blisters clean. That helps you avoid a skin infection.

If your blisters aren’t oozing anymore, stop using cold compresses.

When you're using creams or patches on your rash, don’t use compresses at the same time.

Answered: What is the main cause of shingles?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 07:10:57 +0000

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the virus that also causes chickenpox. In a person who has been exposed to chickenpox -- or its vaccine -- the virus never really goes away. It can lie dormant in the body's nerves.

Answered: Why is shingles especially risky if it's near your eyes?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 07:02:15 +0000

If you have shingles in or near your eyes, forehead, or nose, see your doctor right away. Without treatment, it can lead to pain in your eyes but also to permanent loss of vision.

Shingles in your eyes can cause:

Sores and scarring on the surface
Swelling and redness
Glaucoma, a disease in which pressure builds in your eye
Damage to the nerves

Answered: What is the connection between chickenpox and shingles?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 07:00:16 +0000

The same virus, called varicella zoster, causes both chickenpox and shingles. With chickenpox, the virus leaves an itchy, spotted rash all over your body.

After you get over it, the virus stays inside your body. It goes into a sleep-like state. Years later, it can "wake up" and cause shingles.

Answered: How does shingles cause long-term pain?

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 06:53:44 +0000

Shingles is a viral infection of the nerve roots. Most people recover from their bout, but the pain can linger for almost half of the people over 60 who don’t get treatment. It can last for months, years, or even the rest of their lives.

These people have what's called postherpetic neuralgia, the result of the shingles virus damaging the nerves of the skin. In some cases, the pain is mild. In others, even the slightest touch -- from clothing or even a breeze -- can be excruciating.